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[MaiAndy]

by ANDY MAI
College applications, Christmas presents and now senior dues? Great timing, Brooklyn Tech.

High school students may be glad that they are finally seniors but the title of seniority comes with a price, literally. Senior year is dominated by college applications, school trips, dances and spending time with your fellow classmates but all these activities go back to one thing - money.

Put the optional trips and dances on the side for now. Lets focus on the most popular senior payments: Senior Dues and College Applications.

If you want to go to graduation, you will have to pay senior dues. With two packages ranging from 110 dollars to 180 dollars, they hold the key to you walking across the stage on the 27th of June.

Much criticism arose after seniors received their Senior Information Night booklets back in October. While December seemed so far away, as the date neared for the first deadline of senior dues (without a late fee), many seniors noticed the lack of variety in packages. Looking between the 110 dollar and 180 dollar package, only a yearbook and senior DVD separated them.

Students pointed out the waste in packages with items that they classified as "optional memorabilia."

With payments for senior events such as Masquerade Ball and the Senior Winter Trip occurring just a month earlier, students had to dig deep into their pockets (or their parents) or even delay payment till January with a 10 dollar late fee. The schedule of payments was only a few weeks before most college applications are due.

More than 90 percent of seniors look to go to college in 2011. College applications are 50 plus dollars a school with an average senior applying to seven to eight schools. Do the math yourself, it's expensive.

Although Senior Student Government can argue that the payments will not be dragged onto second term, students only see the short term burden. With senior dues and college applications occurring during the festive month of December, how many families are able to afford these expenses?

Lets end on a positive note. The senior spring trip is to Disney World & Universal Studios in Florida and it will only cost 690 dollars!*

*Payments start in January!


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[NickC]

This issue plagues every class but with good management from your class government, payment options are available to avoid late fees.

We started collecting senior dues as early as Junior Information Night in May. We continued collecting during senior information night when parents were in attendance. By then we had around 400 payments which is a good 1/3 of the class. We then collected once a month for a week until January - then the late fees kicked in. As of now the school website for paying does not reflect the late fee. You can pay there and cross your fingers that its not changed.

However, do note that the school is here to serve, support, and help you. You should speak to AP Williams (1W2) or Mr. Kaelin (7C1), the COSA, to see if you can discuss further financing options if paying for these events at specific deadlines to avoid late fees is causing a toll on family finances for that month or so. You can rest assured that your situation is going to be kept confidential between you and the adult you approach.

Overall...great article!